June-ish

Soooo, true to form, the summer has somehow gotten off to an even busier start than the school year was!  It's all loads of fun, but finding time even for the store is challenging around Andrew's active schedule, Matthew's feeding/nap requirements, and Margaret's entertainment.  Did I mention Molly still needs a daily walk or run?  And what about Mommy's exercise (physical OR mental?) - whew! 

Donna and 4 of her 6 were kind enough to squeeze us in en route from VA Beach (watching Abby's MSU hockey tourney) back to Columbus, OH.  And how lucky that Susan happened to be here, too!  Can't believe Jack & Emily are 9 now, Matt 14 and Hannah 16.  Wish we could have see the college girls (Abby and Kate) and Uncle Bill, too.  Soon!  The countdown to Michigan is on! 

Bowling with classmates on a rainy day - always a favorite. 

Lax finally started!  Andrew's fond of defense so far, or so he says. 

 

Throwing!  (His form looks better than the end result, or so I'm told.) 

Huddled up at swim team on a chilly, rainy day.

My girl!

First Fairview picnic of the summer.

It almost looks like they love each other:) 

Green "smoovy"...finally getting some veggies in Miss Margaret.

Hard to tell looking at the monitor, but she puts on her Sunday shoes to read in bed in the morning. 

"For a Special Treat", she asked to sleep in a sleeping bag on her bed one day. 
I just can't figure out why she bothered asking for it.

 

 

Do deer ever have multiples, or are we missing a mom?  This crew has been hanging out between three of our yards all week. 

Last week, Matthew's sweet nose was running like crazy and crusting over when he slept.  I felt like I was poking corks out of his nose every time I got him up:(  Naturally, I assumed he had the cold that I was trying to kick.  But on Saturday at the pool, I saw a little tooth poking out!  A cold he had not, but a tooth!  Little man...sneaking that in at 5 months just like his big brother!  Of course it's no surprise.  For those that have seen him lately, they know he sure looks like he's ready to eat!!!

Five months old on June 17 and look how darn cute I've gotten?!?!

 

Off to the Ocean & the Mountains

Due to our absence in Scotland, we sent Anne a

"Happy Birthday" video overseas.

 

Michael met Mark in MD one weekend for some deep-sea fishing.  He had missed the boys' trip out West this summer because of Matthew's baptism.  Little did he know that the weekend of fishing with VT buddies would start with shooting this massive rifle.  How envious was I?!? 

 

Fishing was clearly a success!  Andrew was SO excited to see these pics.

 

 

 While Daddy was fishing and shooting, we went to see Dody & Grandaddy in the mountains.  This view NEVER gets old. 

Happy Dody.  Stylish Matthew.

Margaret fell asleep on the swing.  Literally. 
She actually fell-asleep-on-the-swing!

Lalu and Robert made great efforts to come see the kids this weekend.  It was great fun to be with them, but I was just really hoping that "Baby Binky Boy" would keep that thumb in his mouth.

Sweet snuggles with Lalu!

My kids are always suckers for being loved on by a sweet, deep voice. 
Thanks for the hugs, Robert.

Naping in Mom's bed.  Mom = optional; Tea party = crucial.

As always, Mom does a spectacular job with her flowers.

  

Hiking & bouldering by the waterfall before the sky dropped out.

Don't know who's more content.

 

 

Bubble baths!  Always an end of the day highlight in the mountains.

 

 

 Thoughts on the new pool... "Sooo cool!". 

 

The most obnoxious things that Andrew and Margaret can belt out get the biggest, happiest laughs from Matthew.  This giggling went on, and on, and on...making Dody and me smile just as big.   

Sibling Fun

She's crazy on her balance bike - really good, gaining speed and letting herself glide for a while, but CRAZY:)

Misplaced Spring and Summer

 

Mira, the Williams' puppy next door, decided to use their gutter as a chew toy.

 

 Deep Thoughts

 

 Emily visited (sometime in the spring!) and we enjoyed a few hours at

Veritas and King Family Vineyards.

 

 Natural concern on Margaret's face as Matthew starts to get fussy.

 

 Matthew was fortunate enough to meet Jay and Carol Popp early on - they were in town for Ryan's graduation from Business School.  What a wonderful visit we had.

 

 Watching the trash truck literally stopped them in their tracks.

 

 Spring Fun Run at Preschool.

 

 King Family Sunday afternoon with church friends.  Unfortunately, the Polo Match was cancelled that beautiful afternoon.

 

Yet another successful trip to the Dentist (this must have been March).  Evidently he had 4 teeth loose, 2 of which would eventually come out over the summer and one at school in August.

 

 Reading Time

 

They came again.  I cannot bear to write what happened to the babies...AGAIN...this year.  Some year, Momma will learn that our yard is not the safest place to raise babies:(

Matthew and Sam have their last playdate before the Colquitts moved to Cincinnati for the year for Rick's Fellowship.

 

 Taking Miss Helen flowers for her birthday, which the kids were SOOO excited

about finding out was July 3rd!

Off to Grandma's!

 

I cannot explain how proud Margaret was to have cleaned up her room and made up her bed this day BEFORE naptime was over, without any help, and without me suggesting it!  Too bad it hasn't happened since.

LOVE the moss flower arranging Mom gave me for my birthday and I'm trying to make good use of it.  It's amazing how some fresh flowers can make you feel.

Singin' about it...

Eww, she made me try what???

And I'm just gonna go ahead and so "No!" to the peas.